“Unlike literature, history, politics and music, math has little relevance to everyday life,” says G.V. Ramanathan, professor emeritus of mathematics, statistics and computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“All the mathematics one needs in real life can be learned in early years without much fuss. Most adults have no contact with math at work, nor do they curl up with an algebra book for relaxation. Those who do love math and science have been doing very well. Our graduate schools are the best in the world. This ‘nation at risk’ has produced about 140 Nobel laureates since 1983 (about as many as before 1983).

“The marketing of math has become similar to the marketing of creams to whiten teeth, gels to grow hair and regimens to build a beautiful body. … With generous government grants over the past 25 years, countless courses and conferences have been invented and books written on how to teach teachers to teach. But where is the evidence that these efforts have helped students?

“As for the rest, there is no obligation to love math any more than grammar, composition, curfew or washing up after dinner. Why create a need to make it palatable to all and spend taxpayers’ money on pointless endeavors without demonstrable results or accountability?”